Vertical exercise equipment

ABSTRACT

A weightlifting device allowing for a variety of bodyweight exercises to be performed. The device having a foundation and support bars. Hinged arms and a cage extend from the support bars. The cage is adapted to hold an exercise ball. A crossbar is attached to the support bars as well as adjustable abdominal straps.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to exerciseequipment. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention relate to a vertical exercise device for use in performingbodyweight exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE FIELD

The use of body weight exercises has been recognized as a very effectivemethod of developing strength and fitness. Bodyweight exercises that aretypically used in exercise routines include push-ups, decline andincline push-ups, dips and assisted dips, chin-ups and assistedchin-ups, leg squats, and various other exercises and variationsthereof.

While it is possible to perform all of the above exercises using avariety of equipment found in a gymnasium or at home, the prior artfails to identify a piece of equipment on which a person may perform allof the above mentioned exercises safely and efficiently. Moreover,requiring several pieces of equipment represents a significant monetaryinvestment making it prohibitive for home exercise. In a gym setting,the need of a single user to use several pieces of equipment possessesseveral problems such as inconvenience to others waiting on a particularpiece of equipment to become available and space requirements for all ofthe various exercise equipment. Consequently, there is a need for asingle exercise device that allows a user to safely and efficientlyperform a wide range of bodyweight exercises.

SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL INVENTIVE CONCEPT

An exemplary weightlifting device according the inventive conceptincludes a foundation. The foundation includes base bars, across-member, and a pair of braces. Support bars extend vertically fromeach base bar and provide the frame for the weightlifting device. Thecross-member spans the space between the support bars and maintainsproper separation between the support bars. The braces run from the basebars to the support member and may be used in exercises such as inclinedpush-ups and other exercises.

Hinged arms extend substantially horizontally from the support bars. Thehinged arms are hingedly connected to the support bars and may be foldedup against the support bars to move them out of the workout envelopewhen not in use. When fully extended, the hinged bars are substantiallyhorizontal and allow a user to perform exercises such as dips and kneeraises.

The top portion of the support bars is bent at an approximately 90degree angle. Suspended from this top portion are abdominal straps. Theabdominal straps are attached to the top portion of the support bars bya multi-position support. The multi-position support allows theabdominal straps to be adjusted horizontally to accommodate differentexercises and users. A crossbar is also provided on the top portion ofthe support bars. The crossbar may be used as a chin-up or pull-up bar.

A novel feature found on exemplary embodiments of the weightliftingdevice according to the inventive concept, is the cage that extends fromthe support bars. The cage has a first bar and a second bar. The firstbar is attached to the support bars and extends outward from theopposite side of the support bars as the hinged arms. The second bar isattached to and extends downward from the first bar. Both the first andsecond bars are semi-circular. The cage is designed to hold an exerciseball. The exercise ball may be easily removed for various exercises tobe used alone or in conjunction with the exemplary weightlifting device.While the exercise ball is in the cage the ball acts as a back pad.Thus, the exercise ball residing in the cage supports and protects theuser during exercises. In other exemplary embodiments the cage may benylon webbing attached to the support bars. In still other exemplaryembodiments the cage may be other configurations of metal bars or strapsarranged to hold an exercise ball.

attachment devices may also be located on the exemplary weightliftingdevice. The attachment devices provide an attachment point forresistance bands. The attachment devices are positioned to provide avariety of possible exercises including squats, assisted chin-ups,pectoral flys, front rows, and a plethora of additional exercises. Oneof ordinary skill in the art would understand that the attachmentdevices may be hooks, loops, slots, or other features allowing for theattachment of the resistance bands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of thepresent invention will be readily apparent from the followingdescriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein likereference numerals across the several views refer to identical orequivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the vertical exercise deviceaccording to the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the vertical exercise device according to theinventive concept;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vertical exercise device according to theinventive concept with exemplary arms in an extended configuration; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the vertical exercise device according to theinventive concept with exemplary arms in a folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

An exemplary embodiment of a vertical exercise device (device) 5 orpower tower according to the inventive concept is illustrated in FIGS.1-4. As shown, the device 5 includes a foundation 10 having a pair ofsupport bars 15 extending vertically therefrom, a pair of hinged arms 20extending from the support bars 15, crossbar 25 fixed to the upperportion of the support bars 15, and a cage 30 for supporting an exerciseball attached to the rear of the support bars 15.

The foundation 10 has a base bars 35 having elongated bodies andarranged parallel to a support surface. In the exemplary device 5, thebase bars 35 have converging axes wherein the distance between the basebars 35 is greater in the front workout area than in the rear of thedevice 5. A support bar 15 extends vertically from each base bar 35. Thesupport bars 15 may be mechanically fastened to the base bars 35. Inother exemplary embodiments, the support bars 15 may be welded orpermanently affixed to the base bars 35.

A cross-member 40 is provided between the support bars 15. Thecross-member 40 separates the support bars 15 and maintains the propersupport bar 15 spacing. A brace 45 extends from each support bar 15 andterminates on the base bars 35. As with other pieces of the device 5,the braces 45 may be removably or permanently affixed thereto.

As stated above, a pair of hinged arms 20 extends from about themidpoint of the support bars 15. In other exemplary embodiments, thehinged arms 20 may extend from any point along the support bars 15. Thehinged arms 20 are connected to the support bars 15 by U-shaped brackets50. The U-shaped bracket 50 extends from and is affixed to a support bar15. The hinged arm 20 is adapted for complementary engagement with theU-shaped bracket 50; allowing for a hinged type connection. In otherexemplary embodiments a pin may be used to connect the hinged arm 20 tothe U-shaped bracket 50. The hinged connection allows the hinged arms 20to fold up against the support bars 15 in order to remove the hingedarms 20 from the workout envelope. The hinged connection is also limitedto only allow the hinged arms 20 to extend substantially parallel to thesupport surface. This allows the hinged arms 20 to be used for exercisessuch as dips and knee raises.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a cage 30 extends from the support bars 15 in theopposing direction as the hinged arms 20. The cage 30 includes a firstbar 55 and a second bar 60. The first bar 55 is semi-circular and isattached to each support bar 15. The second bar 60 is attached to andextends downward from the first bar 55. Together the first and secondbars 55, 60 are adapted to hold an exercise ball 65 as shown in FIG. 3.The exercise ball 65 held by the cage 30 may act as a back support forusers when performing knee raises, pull-ups or other exercises. Thisability to provide back support to a user increases the effectiveness ofthe exercise and helps a user maintain form during the exercise. Inother exemplary embodiments the cage 30 may be nylon webbing attached tothe support bars 15. In still other exemplary embodiments the cage 30may be other configurations of metal bars or straps arranged to hold anexercise ball 65.

The top portions 70 of the support bars 15 are bent in the direction ofthe hinged arms 20. This bend allows additional exercise features to beplaced on the top portions 70 of the support bars 15. In other exemplaryembodiments, the top portions 70 of the support bars 15 are bent at anangle between about 30 to 90 degrees. A multi-position support 75 isaffixed to each top portion 70. The multi-position support 75 is anattachment point for abdominal straps 80 or other exercise features. Themulti-position support 75 provides several attachment points for theabdominal straps 80 in order to accommodate a variety of exercises andusers. One of ordinary skill in the art should understand thatmulti-position support 75 may be a slot, nylon webbing straps, otherattachment mechanism. The combination of the abdominal straps 80 and theexercise ball 65 held in the cage 30 replace traditional vertical keenraise arms mounted on traditional power towers.

A crossbar 25 is also affixed to the top portion 70 of the support bars15. As with the cross-member 40, the crossbar 25 maintains the supportbar 15 separation. The crossbar 25 also serves as a chin-up and pull-upbar. Although shown having an angled body, the crossbar 25 may also bestraight. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciatethat a variety of methods may be used to attach the crossbar 25 to thetop portions 70 of the support bars 15.

The device 5 also has attachment devices 85 strategically positioned onthe crossbar 25, the support bars 15, and the braces 45. The attachmentdevices 85 provide attachment points for bungee cords or elastic bands.The attachment devices 85 may be hooks, loops, slots, or other featuresdesigned to retain at least one end of a resistance band. The cords andbands may be used to perform resistance training with the device 5. Inaddition, the cords and bands may be positioned to allow the user toperform assisted pull-ups, chin-ups, or dips. Grips 90 are also providedon the braces 45, the cross-member 40, the hinged arms 20, and thecrossbar 25. The grips provide additional safety to a user whenperforming bodyweight exercises.

While certain embodiments of the present invention are described indetail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limitedby such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departingfrom the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims:

What is claimed is:
 1. A weightlifting device, comprising: a pair ofbase bars; a support bar extending from each base bar, said support barhaving a top portion; a brace extending from each said base bar andterminating at said support bar; a cross-member running between saidsupport bars; at least one hinged arm extending from said support bars;a cage extending from said support bar, said cage adapted to hold aexercise ball; a crossbar attached to said top portion of said supportbars; and multi-position supports affixed to said top portion.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said cage includes first and second bars,wherein said first and second bars are semi-circular.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said cage is nylon netting adapted to hold an exerciseball.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one hinged armfolds up in order to clear a workout envelope.
 5. The device of claim 1,further comprising adjustable abdominal straps removably attached tosaid multi-position support.
 6. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of attachment devices extending from said supportbars, said braces, and said crossbar.
 7. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising grips located on said braces, said cross-member, said hingedarms, and said crossbar.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein an exerciseball is held within said cage, said exercise ball providing back supportfor a user.
 9. A weight lifting device, comprising: a foundationportion; support bars extending vertically from said foundation portion;hinged arms extending substantially horizontally from said support bars;a cage attached to said support bars, said caged adapted to hold anexercise ball; at least one abdominal strap suspended from said supportbars; and a crossbar attached to said support bars.
 10. The device ofclaim 9, wherein said cage includes a first bar attached to said supportbars and a second bar attached to said first bar.
 11. The device ofclaim 10, wherein said first and second bars are semi-circular.
 12. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein said cage is nylon netting.
 13. The device ofclaim 9, wherein said hinged arms fold up against said support bars. 14.The device of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of I attachmentdevices, said attachment devices adapted attach resistance bands to saiddevice.
 15. The device of claim 9, wherein said suspended abdominalstraps are suspended from multi-position supports attached to saidsupport bars.
 16. A weightlifting device, comprising: support barsextending from a base portion, said base portion including: base bars,said base bars having converging axes; a cross-member, connecting saidsupport bars; braces, said braces extending from said base bars andterminating at said support bars; a top portion of said support bars,said top portion bent between 30 and 90 degrees relative to a remainderof said support bars; at least one multi-position support attached tosaid top portion; at least one abdominal strap suspended from said atleast one multi-position support; a crossbar affixed to said top portionof said support bars; U-shaped brackets extending from said supportbars; hinged arms attached to said U-shaped brackets, said hinged armsadapted to fold upright against said support bars; and a cage extendingfrom said support bars, said cage comprising: a first semi-circular barattached to said support bars and a second semi-circular bar attached tosaid first bar.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said cage is adaptedto hold an exercise ball.
 18. The device of claim 16, further comprisinga plurality of resistance band attachment points.
 19. The device ofclaim 16, further comprising grips located on said braces, said hingedarms, said cross-member, and said crossbar.
 20. The device of claim 16,wherein when said exercise ball is held in said cage, said exercise ballis a back support.